Multiple Sclerosis: One local twin with, one without

It makes sense. The two of them are, in fact, identical twins. Eyes, noses, birthdays, and even their goatees are spot-on matches. That comes with the territory.

"People think it's a miracle," Henry jokes. "They see me in the morning, and then they see Chuck running in the afternoon."

And that comment might not make much sense out of context, or if you are unfamiliar with the Hamblins. For those of you in that line, a bit of clarification: Henry Hamblin was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in Dec. 2010. He struggles to get around — even walking is a difficult task. He must use either a wheelchair or crutches to get from point A to point B.

Chuck, on the other hand — Henry's mirror image, minus the glasses — has shown no signs of carrying the disease. He is very active. Check his Facebook page. He's shown running on a treadmill, wearing a shirt that says "Running for the Health of It."

They are both 47 years of age.

* * *

Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system. It causes the fatty mylein (an electrically insulatory material) sheath around the axons of the brain and spinal chord to become scarred, thus impairing the conduction of signals in the affected nerves.

Per Henry, amongst its symptoms are lapses in memory, and problems with balance and cognition.

Loss of sensitivity or tingling, pricking or numbness, muscle weakness, clonus, muscle spasms, or difficulty in moving; problems in speech or swallowing, visual problems, fatigue; acute or chronic pain; and bladder and bowel difficulties are also symptoms often associated with MS. Emotional symptoms of depression or unstable mood are common with the disease.

"It's pretty debilitating over time," Henry said.

* * *

Though originally from Richland, Mo., first Chuck, and then Henry, moved to Moberly in the mid-80s and 90s. Chuck attended Central Christian College of the Bible here in town.

Henry moved down to this area in July 1993, to "be closer to [his] family." He settled in Moberly, where his brother was.

Both have been here ever since.

* * *

"I rode in the MS 150 back in 2008," Henry said. "I didn't know I had MS then. I actually rode that one for Lynne."

That's Lynne Richmond, who initially informed the MMI of the upcoming Moberly Walk MS this Sunday, April 21. Lynne also has MS, and is acquainted with Henry Hamblin.

Registration for the walk begins at 1 p.m., at The Lodge in Rothwell Park. The walk begins at 2 p.m. There will be a bounce house, refreshments, and a silent auction there. All funds raised will go directly towards helping persons in the local area with MS, through the St. Louis Gateway Chapter of the National MS Society.

"Some of [that money] goes to research," Henry said. "Some of it goes to making homes more handicap accessible. Some people, they even help out with medical bills.

"After I got diagnosed [in Dec. 2010], I did my first walk in April 2011," he said.

Henry will be keeping with that on Sunday. He confirmed to the MMI that he will be traversing the track in his wheelchair, to show support for the cause.

And you will never guess who will be by his side: his twin brother, Chuck, of course.